Lancaster City Council is celebrating the biggest day of the year for small businesses with the offer of free pitches at its markets in Lancaster and Morecambe on Small Business Saturday UK.
Small Business Saturday UK is taking place on 7th December – one of the busiest shopping days in the year and is a national campaign to encourage people to ‘shop local’ and support small businesses in their community.
To mark the day, the council is giving local entrepreneurs and new small businesses the opportunity to get a taste of trading for free for a day at its historic Charter Market and Assembly Rooms Market in Lancaster and Festival Market in Morecambe.
Anyone who can bring a unique craft to the markets or add a new and interesting commodity to the range of products already on offer is eligible to apply. Goods currently represented on the applicant’s preferred market or readily available in nearby shops will not be considered.
The offer is limited to one free pitch /stall per applicant (subject to availability) on Saturday 7th December. Traders must provide their own stalls at Lancaster’s Assembly Rooms and Charter Markets as well as a sturdy gazebo with weights if trading at the outdoor Charter Market. Stalls at the covered Festival Market in Morecambe will be provided.
Established stallholders at all three markets will be marking the day with the offer of discounts and special offers for customers. Simply look out for the Small Business Saturday UK signs displayed at participating stalls.
Councillor Jon Barry, Cabinet member with responsibility for markets, said: “Small Business Saturday UK is a fantastic opportunity for our markets to encourage more people to shop local and support the cluster of small businesses trading at our markets. It’s also an ideal day for those who want to give running their own business a try for free as well as bringing something fresh and exciting to our local markets which you wouldn’t normally find on the high street.”
• More information on the markets and a registration form for this offer is available at www.lancaster.gov.uk/markets
• Alternatively, call the Markets Office on 01524 414251 or send an email to markets@lancaster.gov.uk